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General Henri Gouraud, one armed war hero of Gallipoli and the man commanding the French and American forces on the Marne River, made the following address to his troops as the German attack developed.

"To the French and American Soldiers of the Army:

We may be attacked from one moment to another. You all feel that a defensive battle was never engaged in under more favourable conditions.

We are warned, and we are on our guard. We have received strong reinforcements of infantry and artillery. You will fight on ground which by your assiduous labour you have transformed into a formidable fortress, into a fortress which is invincible if the passages are well guarded.

The bombardment will be terrible. You will endure it without weakness. The attack in a cloud of dust and gas will be fierce, but your positions and your armament are formidable.

The strong and brave hearts of free men beat in your breasts. None will look behind, none will give way. Every man will have but one thought - "Kill them, kill them in abundance, until they have had enough."